Govt forms committees to demarcate canals in DNCC, DSCC areas

The Local Government Division has formed two committees to identify and demarcate the boundaries of all canals under Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) to expedite canal recovery and restoration efforts.

According to an office order issued by the division's City Corporation-1 Branch on June 11, the decision was taken at an emergency meeting chaired by Mir Shahe Alam, state minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives.

The meeting stressed the need for a coordinated initiative to determine canal boundaries, reclaim encroached waterways and address Dhaka's persistent waterlogging problems.

A 12-member committee, headed by the DNCC chief engineer, has been formed for the DNCC area. Its members include the corporation's relevant regional executive officer, additional chief engineer and executive engineer, the zonal settlement officer of Dhaka, the additional deputy commissioner (revenue) of Dhaka district and the construction supervision consultant (CSC).

Representatives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka WASA, Rajuk, the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Roads and Highways Department are also members of the committee.

A separate 11-member committee has been constituted for the DSCC area, with the DSCC chief engineer serving as convener.

The committee includes the DSCC's relevant regional executive officer, additional chief engineer and executive engineer, the zonal settlement officer of Dhaka, the additional deputy commissioner (revenue) of Dhaka district and the construction supervision consultant. Representatives from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Dhaka WASA, the Bangladesh Water Development Board and the Roads and Highways Department are also included.

Under the terms of reference, both committees have been directed to complete the demarcation of all canals within their respective jurisdictions on a priority basis and submit detailed reports to the Local Government Division within three months.

The committees may seek advice from the administrators of the respective city corporations when necessary and are authorised to co-opt additional members.